Protect the Endangered Species Act
The wildly successful and bipartisan Endangered Species Act (ESA) is our nation’s most effective law to protect at-risk species from extinction. Ninety-nine percent of species listed have avoided extinction.
The Administration has proposed a new rulemaking under the ESA that would redefine the word “harm” in a way that removes protections for species’ habitats. Habitat destruction is the leading cause of species loss, and if this change goes into effect, it would fundamentally undermine the ability of the law to work as intended and save wildlife.
Submit your public comment opposing these efforts to weaken the ESA or undermine the protections it provides to wildlife and their habitats. The comment period ends May 19th, so the time to act is now.
ATTN: Comments on Proposed Rulemaking Rescinding the Definition of "Harm" Under the Endangered Species Act (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034)
To the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service:
I am submitting this comment opposing the proposal to rescind the current definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As an American who cares deeply about our wildlife and natural places, I strongly oppose this change.
The ESA is our nation's most effective law to protect at-risk species from extinction. Grizzly bears, humpback whales, and bald eagles are just some of the 46 species now listed as recovered under the ESA. With the average size of wildlife populations declining by 73% over the past 50 years, a strong, effective implementation of the ESA is needed now more than ever (WWF Living Planet Report 2024 - A System in Peril. WWF, Gland, Switzerland).
Congress clearly intended the ESA to protect both species and the habitats they depend on. The text of the law could not be clearer: healthy species are integrally connected to their habitats. Maintaining this definition isn't expanding the law—it's implementing the law as intended by Congress and as it has been carried out for over 50 years.
As a concerned citizen, I strongly oppose the proposal to rescind the current definition of "harm" in the Endangered Species Act. Thank you for considering my comment.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
We encourage you to personalize your comment on the next page, and let the Administration know why this issue is important to you.
By submitting a comment, you agree to Regulations.gov terms of participation and privacy notice. Any personal information included in your comment text and/or uploaded attachment(s) may be publicly viewable on the web.
Federal Register notice for the Proposed Rule: Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act.
By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive recurring text messages from WWF. Text STOP to quit, HELP for info. Message and data rates may apply.
We will keep your information safe and secure. Please see our Privacy Policy for details of how we use your information.